Paper-weight



(No Model.) I

L. MARTIN.

R WEIGHT.

No. 444,647. Patented Jan. 13, 1891.

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(UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUCIEN l3. MARTIN, OF FOSTORIA, OHIO.

PAPER-WEIGHT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 444,647, dated January 13, 1891.

Application filed June 2,1890. Serial No. 354,002. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, LUCIEN B. MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fostoria, in the county of Seneca and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Paper-\Veights; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in paper-weights, and has for its object the novel combination of a writingsurface formed on the glass paper-weight for the purpose of keeping such memoranda as occasion may require, and which shall be always at ones hand, the surface of the weight and tablet combined admitting the erasure of any writings as they become of no value.

The invention consists in forming a glass body of any suitable form having sufficient weight to perform the function of a paperweight, the same being provided with a roughened or ground top or upper surface, on which writings in lead-pencil will be distinctly legible and easily erased therefrom when desired, thus serving the twofold purpose of a paper-weight and writing-tablet.

The invention also consists in certain other novel features, which will be fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top or plan view of the paper-weight, show in g the ground or etched writing-surface, on which can be written a note or memorandum. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line a: as of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view in elevation of the paper-weight and memoranda-tablet.

The paper-weight A is preferably made of clear glass and of rectangular form; but any variety of form would suffice provided it presented a suitable writing-surface B. This writing portion 13 is formed by etching the surface of the glass, or by any other method of producing a slightly-roughened surface on glass for adapting it to receive the markings of a lead-pencil. A number of lines a are formed upon the surface B by etching the surfaces in strips Z), and leaving between the several strips a narrow portion of the clear glass, which, due to the contrast between the etched or frosted glass and the clear glass, is brought out, defining a clear dark line on the frosted writing-surface. In the same manner any advertisement may be formed on the writing-surface and the paper-weights be distributed gratuitously, by which means it would serve not only as a paper-weight but as an advertising medium of great efficiency, being alwaysin use and conspicuously placed.

The paper-Weight, with its writing-surface, bein g always at hand not only preserves such memoranda as mayhave been written thereon, but is not apt to be lost sight of among the papers which usually cover the desk. When such memoranda has served its purpose, it may be erased by wiping the surface with a damp cloth or by moistening the finger and rubbing it over the writing.

The bottom of the paper-weight is preferably made with a cavity formed therein, and in which a calendar or calendar-card may be inserted and used to great advantage.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a paper weight having an etched or ground surface, substantially as described, whereby the same is adapted to be written on and the writing erased, as set forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, the combined paper-weight and memoranda-tablet consisting of a body of glass having a plain surface which is etched or ground, and having lines formed thereon of the clear glass, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LUGIEN B. MARTIN. IVitnesses:

PHENE A. HIG-BEE, W. T. BRADY. 

